Developed by a consortium of partner organizations, including the University of Washington Social Development Research Group (SDRG), the Dartington Social Research Unit, Child Trends and the Foundation’s Evidence-Based Practice Group, the Youth Experience Survey provides a comprehensive picture of how kids are doing, with questions geared to identifying the most effective evidence-based approaches for prevention and early intervention. The self-report survey, given to students in middle school and high school, generates insights in five key areas ― education and skills attainment, emotional well-being, physical health, positive behavior and positive relationships. Survey results can help communities see the links among risk factors, protective factors and well-being and highlight areas in which public agencies and communities might focus their investments.

“For nearly all the outcomes and risk and protective factors on the survey, there are evidence-based early intervention programs, so communities have a clear way to respond to what they have learned,” said Ilene Berman, a senior associate with the Evidence-Based Practice Group. “This survey also offers a clear way to include youth voice in this effort.”

Programs to address the risk and protective factors covered in the Youth Experience Survey can be found on the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development website, or on other databases of evidence-based programs.